So I went for my first pre-op nutrition/surgeon appointments and they went pretty well. Of course my weight is down... that is always a good thing, but I was not worried about that. I have not been eating enough and I know that is not a good thing. It was discussed that my weight may go up slightly when I eventually start on the general diet just because of how little I have been eating (close to under 600 calories daily.) In seeing my surgeon I have received my FIRST FILL DATE!!! ... I am soooo excited. Three weeks out. To get the fill process early sounds good to be. It appears from what the nutritionist was telling me that as long as you schedule the appointments with her or the doctor every six weeks (basically keeping in contact with them and updated on how you feel about where you are with your fill) you and her determine if and when you schedule your fills. It appears that the nutritionist send information to the surgeons and then the appointments are scheduled with the surgeons. I guess the appointment put me more at ease.

Well I did not establish a fancy ruler so I will do mine a very unconventional way:

Starting weight: 311 March 2007
Current weight: 273 January 09, 2008 = -38 lbs
ONLY 123 left to loose

I'm researching WLS and plan start the process very soon. I've never come across the term "fill". What does it mean?

Thanks

A fill is when the surgeon addes fluid to the band when it is already inside around the stomach through a port and tube just under the skin. The port and tube are put in with the band. It controls how much food can leave the "pouch"...the more fluid in the band the smaller the exit therefore the food leaves the stomach slower. I understand that you might have 3 or so fills before you hit "the sweet spot".

I am sure that someone can explain it a bit better then I can but I thought I would give it a try.

Good Question by the way! Keep THAT up!

Angela

rede - see? you did GREAT. you ARE doing great! it's a matter of communicating with your doc - and the two of you will figure out what works best for you.

congratulations! just two weeks later - and down 38 pounds!!! YAY!!!!!!

...and let me clarify my math is a bit better than previous posted ... it must have been the fact that I have not been getting of an adequate amount of intake of calories. I have 133 pounds to go and we all know how those last 10 pounds can go!!!

I've seen a fill done beofre and would like to know if it's painful? Just a stick like a blood draw? I don't want to make anyone squimish, just curious.

I will be sure to report back when I find out. When I was in the office my surgeon told me that he would be giving me a shot to numb the area and then obviously another needle to stick into the port to fill the band. My surgeon will be on vacation during the time of my first fill but I did not want to wait an extra two weeks for him to come back so I am going to have my fill done by one of the other surgeons to do the fill ... maybe he will give me some extra numbing medications ... am sure there are many on this site that have plenty of experience